SHEBA(R), a Mars, Incorporated petfood brand unveils World's Largest Coral Restoration Program: Hope Reef

Hope Reef, part of the world's largest coral reef restoration program, has been unveiled off the coast of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Sitting on Salisi' Besar reef platform near the island of Bontosua, the reef is built to spell the word 'HOPE'. Visible on Google Earth, the 45x15m installation symbolizes that positive change can happen within our lifetime and that hope can grow.

Coral reef systems are the tropical rainforests of the ocean and home to a quarter of marine life. But they are critically threatened by overexploitation, destructive fishing practices, pollution and climate change. Scientists estimate that if the world does nothing, 90% of the world's tropical reefs will be gone by 2043, impacting nearly 500 million people who depend on them for food, income and coastal protection .

In response to the loss of reefs worldwide, Hope Reef was created to kick-start an even larger restoration effort and create a movement to restore reefs at a large, ecologically relevant scale. With the help of governments, universities, businesses and NGOs, Mars, Incorporated started the Hope Reef coral restoration program in 2019.

The program utilizes handmade reef star structures known as the Mars Assisted Reef Restoration System (MARRS). The reef star's materials are locally sourced and handmade by the local people of Bontosua. By the end of 2029, SHEBA(R) and its parent company, Mars, Incorporated's ambition is to restore more than 185,000 square meters of coral reef around the world - roughly the size of 148 Olympic Swimming Pools.

Ratchakorn Chenpattanapong, General Manager Thailand & Indochina, Mars Thailand Inc., said: "Through our investment in restoration initiatives like Hope Reef, we hope to inspire others and demonstrate that habitat and biodiversity loss can be reversed. As the oceans' most diverse ecosystem, coral reefs are at the heart of our efforts. We are delighted to report that since the Hope Reef project started, coral cover around the island of Bontosua has increased from 5% to 55%. Fish abundance has increased by 300%. Other species, such as sharks and turtles, are also returning."

"Hope Reef is a symbol of hope for the future of our oceans and the start of a movement to restore these vital ecosystems. We know that our consumers expect great quality food for their pets but they also want a brand that makes a positive difference. With that, we encourage pet parents to watch and share The Film That Grows Coral on Youtube where every view helps to raise money for reef restoration through our campaign partner, The Nature Conservancy. And in conjunction with World Ocean's Day, SHEBA(R) has unveiled its first iOS app - SHEBA Hope Grows which generates a 3D experience; making the reef accessible to anyone, from any location! Just download the app and restore your own reef by installing virtual Reef Stars and watch the space transform from a barren rubble-bed into a diverse and thriving marine environment," he said.

To play a role in reef restoration, so that we have more coral today and more fish tomorrow, watch and share this video #hopegrows: The Film That Grows Coral which can be found on the SHEBA(R) Brand Youtube page.

About SHEBA(R)
The SHEBA(R) (R) Brand knows that cat owners love cats for their independent spirits, personalities, and discerning palates. That's why the SHEBA(R) brand puts cats at the heart of everything it does, creating premium recipes with irresistible real meat, no artificial preservatives or flavors, and designed to entice cats' unique tastes and desires. The SHEBA(R) Brand appreciates the relationship between cats and their owners and uses that understanding to celebrate and fuel their unique bond. Look for SHEBA(R) premium cat food and cat treats at retailers nationwide. For more information, visit www.sheba.com.

About The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. Working in 72 countries and territories: 38 by direct conservation impact and 34 through partners, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.

About Mars Petcare in Thailand
Part of Mars, Incorporated, a family-owned business with more than a century of history making diverse products and offering services for people and the pets people love, the 85,000 Associates across 50+ countries at Mars Petcare are dedicated to one purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS. With 85 years of experience, our portfolio of almost 50 brands serves the health and nutrition needs of the world's pets; as well as the WALTHAM Petcare Science Institute which has advanced research in the nutrition and health of pets for over 50 years.

About 1,100 Mars Petcare Associates have been serving the nutrition and health needs of dogs and cats in Thailand since 1997 through the distribution and manufacture of our products. Our pet food brands currently available in the market include PEDIGREE(R), WHISKAS(R), IAMS(R) ROYAL CANIN(R), CESAR(R), SHEBA(R), TEMPTATIONS (R) as well as our cat litter brand, CATSAN(R).

Our factories in Thailand serve as a production base of pet food for the Asia-Pacific region. The first factory was established in 1998 in Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, and the second factory is in Amata City, Chonburi Province. Together, these factories under the entity of Mars Petcare (Thailand) manufacture and export some of the world's leading pet food brands including PEDIGREE(R),? WHISKAS(R), SHEBA(R) and TEMPTATIONS (R).
For more information about Mars Incorporated, please visit www.mars.com. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

About Mars, Incorporated
For more than a century, Mars, Incorporated has been driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. This idea is at the center of who we have always been as a global, family-owned business. Today, Mars is transforming, innovating and evolving in ways that affirm our commitment to making a positive impact on the world around us.

Across our diverse and expanding portfolio of confectionery, food, and petcare products and services, we employ 133,000 dedicated Associates who are all moving in the same direction: forward. With $40 billion in annual sales, we produce some of the world's best-loved brands including DOVE(R), EXTRA(R), M&M's(R), MILKY WAY(R), SNICKERS(R), TWIX(R), ORBIT(R), PEDIGREE(R), ROYAL CANIN(R), SKITTLES(R), BEN'S ORIGINAL(TM), WHISKAS(R), COCOAVIA(R), and 5(TM); and take care of half of the world's pets through our pet health services AniCura, Banfield Pet Hospitals(TM), BluePearl(R), Linnaeus, Pet Partners(TM), and VCA(TM).

We know we can only be truly successful if our partners and the communities in which we operate prosper as well. The Mars Five Principles — Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom — inspire our Associates to take action every day to help create a world tomorrow in which the planet, its people and pets can thrive. For more information about Mars, please visit mars.com.

For more information about Mars, please visit www.mars.com. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

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